Girls golf notes: New Trier, Glenbrook South, Maine South, more

For girls golfers across the state, the thought could be a bit unnerving.

New Trier junior Penelope Tir — who tied for sixth at the Class AA state tournament as a freshman and tied for fourth last season — added a personal coach this season.

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Tir's sister, Audrey Tir, is a freshman on the New Trier girls golf team. Though they are not always grouped in the same pairing, they are constantly playing and practicing together.

"It really helps to have her around this year," said Penelope Tir, a Winnetka resident. "It's like having a second set of eyes. She knows my swing better than anyone else."

Penelope Tir fired a 2-under-par 68 to lead New Trier to the Central Suburban South tournament title on Sept. 27 at the Wilmette Golf Club. Audrey Tir shot a 77 to finish in a tie for third and help the Trevians record a 307.

Audrey Tir said she is not afraid to offer her sister constructive criticism about her swing.

"When it doesn't land where it should I might see something different with her grip or how far she is standing from the ball," Audrey Tir said. "When I know what she is not doing well I'm not afraid to tell her. Sometimes I can see what she can't."

Penelope Tir she said she trusts her sister, listens to the critiques and makes adjustments.

"It can be brutally honest when it is coming from a sister or a brother," Penelope Tir said.

"My illustration shows how I am exploring innovation by learning about many different aspects in the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) fields," Lau said via text. "By diving into these studies, I now have a better understanding of the connections between STEM fields and how the fields build upon each other to inspire innovation."

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Lau, a Glenview resident, finished in a three-way tie for third at the Central Suburban South meet with a 77 on Sept. 27. Lau helped the Titans finish second with a 320 at Wilmette Golf Club.

Glenbrook North

Spartans junior Ashley Choi and her sister Claire, a freshman on the team, come from a family that is "obsessed with golf," Ashley Choi said. She added that both their father and their grandfather have recorded a hole-in-one.

Ashley Choi joined the elite club at the Libertyville Invite on Aug. 17.

With an 8-iron in her hand, Ashley Choi aced the 129-yard 17th hole at Pine Meadow in Mundelein.

"I got it the day before my birthday," said Ashley Choi, adding, "It was a par-3 and I just watched it roll in."

The Spartans finished third at the Central Suburban North tournament with a 357 on Sept. 27 at Wilmette Golf Club. Ashley Choi tied for fourth individually with an 83. Claire Choi scored a 93. The sisters live in Northbrook.

Deerfield

Warriors junior Kailey Bertram recorded the first eagle of her career during the Central Suburban North meet and helped Deerfield win the tournament.

Kracik said she did not want to give up sports so she tried out for golf in the fall of 2015 and is now the captain. She is scheduled to graduate in the spring.

"It gave me friends I never would have had if it were not for golf," said Kracik, a Park Ridge resident.

She shot a 96 at the Central Suburban South meet on Sept. 27 at Wilmette Golf Course. The Hawks placed third with a team score of 361.

Niles West

Alena Sirichotiratana, a Niles West junior from Morton Grove, tied for ninth at the Central Suburban South meet with an 87 on Sept. 27 at Wilmette Golf Club. Said she shaved 10 strokes off her game in the last year by making better decisions.

Evanston coach Karilyn Joyce said she had to do some last-minute lineup juggling when two of her standout players — juniors Anna TerMolen (back injury) and Clara Lynk (illness) — were not able to play in the Central Suburban South meet on Sept. 27 at Wilmette Golf Club. The Wildkits finished fourth at 415.